barely a decade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely a decade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a period of time is just short of ten years, often emphasizing the recency of an event or development. Example: "The technology has evolved significantly in barely a decade, transforming the way we communicate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

His career had lasted barely a decade.

The New Yorker

These halcyon days lasted barely a decade.

The New York Times - Books

Output measured in dollars had halved in barely a decade.

The Economist

But the harbour association's "prior consultation" wheeze is barely a decade old.

The Economist

It was recently surpassed in market value by Facebook, a company barely a decade old.

The Economist

During a career barely a decade long, everything Matta-Clark did somehow reinforced this idea.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Livni is unlike her rivals in many ways – a relative newcomer to politics, she gave up her career as a lawyer barely a decade ago to become a politician.

The Guardian

Its "driveline" division remains its leading business and produces parts used in two-fifths of the world's cars.Two into one do goThe search for new business lines explains the recent emergence of GKN's aerospace division; a fledging barely a decade ago, it now accounts for a quarter of revenues and a third of profits.

The Economist

The price of crude has risen – from below $10 per barrel barely a decade ago to a current level of around $110 with predictions it could double again in the coming years, making exploration a highly attractive business.

The Guardian

Olivier is one of 5 million people who are getting life-saving treatment in the developing world, compared with a mere handful barely a decade ago.

Huffington Post

"By 2010, China could represent 15-20% ourour total volume," says Mark LaNeve, Cadillac's general manager.This is a huge change from barely a decade ago when there were few private cars of any kind on Chinese roads.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely a decade" to emphasize the short duration of time, particularly when contrasting it with significant changes or developments that have occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "barely a decade" when you simply need to state a time frame. It's most effective when highlighting the brevity or unexpectedness of the duration in relation to the events described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely a decade" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause to specify when something occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to indicate a period just short of ten years, as illustrated in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely a decade" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight a period of just under ten years. As shown by Ludwig, it's particularly effective in emphasizing the recency or brevity of that time frame, often in contrast to significant changes or events. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral tone suitable for a wide range of writing. Remember to use it when you want to stress the short duration involved, rather than as a simple time marker. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is a useful tool for adding emphasis and nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just under ten years

This alternative uses a more literal description of the time period.

almost ten years

This alternative conveys a sense of nearness to the ten-year mark.

less than a decade

This alternative focuses on the period being shorter than ten years.

not quite ten years

Emphasizes that the period is incomplete regarding a full decade.

close to ten years

This option emphasizes the proximity to a full decade.

scarcely ten years

This emphasizes the shortness or insufficiency of the period.

nigh on ten years

This alternative phrase uses a more informal, archaic tone.

under a decade's time

Rephrases to focus on the duration of time.

a span of fewer than ten years

Provides a more formal and precise description.

within ten years

This alternative broadens the time frame slightly, suggesting it happened during that period.

FAQs

How can I use "barely a decade" in a sentence?

You can use "barely a decade" to emphasize that something significant has occurred in a relatively short amount of time. For instance, "The internet has revolutionized communication in "barely a decade"."

What can I say instead of "barely a decade"?

Alternatives include "almost ten years", "just under ten years", or "less than a decade", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "barely a decade ago" or "barely a decade since"?

"Barely a decade ago" is more common when referring to a point in the past, while "barely a decade since" can be used to emphasize the time elapsed from a particular event. Both are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "nearly a decade" and "barely a decade"?

"Nearly a decade" suggests approaching ten years, while "barely a decade" emphasizes that the period is just under ten years, often highlighting the brevity of the time.